ACHIEVING GOALS

July 28 2016 08:58 AM

Deafness or Hearing Impairment

Matilda Carnegie

The main lesson it is important to take the good out of any situation life throws at you

I was born profoundly deaf and with macrodactyly, a foot condition which meant the doctors thought it would need to be amputated, as well as struggling through other ailments, such as dystonia as a child. The doctors thought I wouldn't be able to walk or talk, but thanks to my determined family and countless of hours of therapy I proved them wrong. As well as wearing a cochlear implant which has enabled me to speak and hear quite well, combined with having five surgeries, with the last one being done by a fantastic surgeon from England, who was able to save the foot. I am now currently competing in dressage, both in the para and open events, aiming to be the best I can be, it's relatively early days in my dressage career but I'm looking forward to what the future holds. Alongside this I am finishing my final year of school and aim to study at university, with the hopes of having a career in business. The main lesson it is important to take the good out of any situation life throws at you, and often it is these challenges that hold you in good stead for the rest of your life, making you more empathetic towards others, as well as installing the grit one needs to achieve their goals.